4 Phoenix Suns who will definitely be back next season
By Luke Duffy
1. Royce O'Neale
The only player that fans will surely want to see back next season is O'Neale - and although a deal has not yet been reached - this is one that feels like it will be done soon. Like Grayson Allen, the Suns have O'Neale's Bird Rights and so can sign him to a figure that is higher than it would be if he was on the open market, and which has less of a negative impact on their dreadful cap sheet.
The Suns are also already paying the most penalty tax of any team in the league, at a figure of $116 million which is higher than some rival's payrolls. As the old expression goes... "in for a penny, in for a pound", and Ishbia is currently in for all of the pounds.
Next. 3 times Frank Vogel tried to tell Suns' fans something was wrong this season. 3 times Frank Vogel tried to tell Suns' fans something was wrong this season. dark
He's spoken already about his desire to bring back both Allen and O'Neale - and with one of those two already signed to a new four-year deal, the smart money is on the same thing happening with O'Neale. Which is no bad thing, because O'Neale is one of the few players who had even an ok series against the Timberwolves.
Should he come back - and again all signs point to this happening - O'Neale is both a player who can help the Suns win and would also become a valuable trade asset down the road. So signing him would also give the roster some much needed flexibility, meaning there really is no reason not to get another deal signed quickly.